Should we let our 6 year old see his dead granny?

[Thunderbolted]

Just that really.
We're taking him to the funeral but wondered whether to let him see the body the day before. Apparently she's nicely laid out. I know I found it helpful as an 11 year old to see a dead relative but I don't know if 6 is too young.
We're very open about death and what's happened so my inclination is to give him the option and let him choose. They weren't super close.
I know it's totally different but he saw our dog after he died and decorated the coffin and I think that helped him grieve.

Ask him .
Sadly both of my parents died within a few weeks of each other when DC was 6 . Dad died in hospital , we went to see him as a family ( had intended to visit anyway expecting him to be alive but hospital had called prior to us leaving the house ) and DC declined to see him . Grandma died at home and drove down to the mortuary to see her on day of death - DC came in with me at her wish , she initially stood back from the coffin then came forward . Grandma looked perfectly fine ( apart from the fact she was dead that is ) - as though asleep - kid just looked and said ‘ she’s definitely dead mummy , she’s not breathing , in only that matter of fact way that kids can . Kid is late teens now and was not traumatised by seeing the body .
My personal view is that it’s an individuals choice and age is immaterial . Just ask .

No. Too young and if they weren't close is there any reason to? I think this would have terrified me.

@Shocked12

I did at 7 and it fucked me for life. Months of nightmares at the time too. To the posters saying it will be okay what if it isn't. Every child/adult is different.

Did you ask to see your relative? Did anyone ask you if you wanted to see them? Did anyone explain to you what to expect?

It's not just that everyone is different, it's that every situation is different.
If a child wants to see a relative, then with the right support, that should be enabled where possilbe.

If he wants to I think fine. My friend is northern Irish and has bad memories of seeing a dead relative at around 7/8, but she hadn't wanted to or been asked. Whereas, at about 10 I wanted to see my granddad (as the last time I'd seen him he'd been in awful pain and I wanted to be sure he wasn't, and to say goodbye) but then my dad decided he wasn't going to so I didn't get to. Very child dependent.

I went to my Grandad’s wake when I was 10 and honestly the image of his waxy face lying in that coffin has stayed with me to this day.

My last memory of him should have been the lovely day we spent together in the garden the day before he died (it was sudden) but instead I have Been left with that traumatic picture in my mind.

So no I wouldn’t let a 6 year old see his dead Granny.

I think it depends how long she's been dead. I saw my mum 12 hours later and she looked beautiful and peaceful, but went for a final goodbye 10 days later and really wished I hadn't, she looked absolutely awful. My Nana ditto, the Coop were really uncooperative about viewing so I ended up going on the day of the funeral and she looked as if she was about to sit up and yell at me. I don't think the fashion is to use as much makeup as a few years ago - my Grandma in 2001 looked much better, kind of pale and waxy like a corpse should. The memory of my Mum and Nana has faded over the years but I wouldn't recommend it.